I collect the papers and put them in my briefcase.
“Can we go to your office?” she asks.
I want to tell her no. Going to my office will completely disintegrate any space I’ve put between us, but I can’t tell her no because I see the pain in her eyes.
“Sure love, let’s go.”
The minute I close the door behind us, she cries. And through her tears she says,“Why did you pawn me off on someone else? You could have just broken up with me to make this easier.”
I drop my briefcase and fold her into my arms. “Kat, I’m not breaking up with you. I told you that already.”
“I haven’t kissed you for days. You avoid me like I’m a recent outbreak of Ebola.”
I walk her to the corner chair and pull her into my lap. “Don’t you think staying away from you has been hard on me too? Geez Kat, I haven’t said the words, but don’t you feel it? I’m in love with you.”
She swipes at the tears running down her cheeks. “You love me?”
I let out a frustrated breath. “Yes, Kat. I’m head over heals in love with you and that’s why I put up a temporary wall. I told you I wanted to give you time so you could focus on the assignment. If you don’t pass my class, you don’t graduate, and I’m not going to pass you just because I love you.”
“You love me.” She grips my cheeks and presses her lips to mine. “I love you too, and that space you wanted to give me sucks. I don’t want it. I want you, Hugh. I need you.”
“Oh, Kat. I’m sorry. I saw how tired you are when we’re together. It’s not like we get much sleep. I just thought—”
“Don’t think for me anymore.” She runs her hands up my shirt. Her touch is like sunshine against my skin.
I pull us down to the carpeted floor and make love to her. It’s different this time because the words have been said. I remind her many times through this moment that she is mine. When we finish, I hold her in my arms until she falls asleep.
Not wanting to disturb her, I cover her with my jacket and go to my desk to grade her paper. If she does better with the space I've given her we’ll have to come up with a plan that allows for the things she needs and the things she wants. We have to find a balance.
I am just finalizing her grade when she stirs.
“Unbelievable,” I say. I push the paper to the edge of the desk.
“What?” She rises from the floor and pulls on her clothes.
“Your paper.”
She narrows her eyes and walks up to my desk to see the big red F across the top. “My grade dropped.”
I laugh because staying away from her didn’t help. It only made it worse. “Your paper is awful, and I’m glad because that means I’m not bad for you. In fact, my presence might help you after all. Grab your stuff. We’re going home.”
“Home?”
“Kat, I’ve lived without you, and I don’t plan to any more. You’re right, the separation sucked. You’re mine, love, and you belong with me. Now grab your stuff. I’ve got papers to grade, and I want you to read something for fun.”
“You’re giving me an extra assignment? Will I get extra credit?”
“No, Kat, I don’t believe in extra credit.” I pull a book from my shelf and hand it to her. “Have you read his stuff?”
She looks at the author’s name, which says Fletch Hughson, and shakes her head.
“Nope, I don’t have time to read for pleasure.”
I take the book from her hands and push it into her backpack. “Baby, tonight is all about pleasure.”
While I grade papers, Kat curls up to my side and reads. I feel her body shudder when she laughs and her breath hitch when she’s in a scary part.
“Do you like the book?” I set the paper I’m grading on the table and run my fingers through her hair.